Welcome to Brian’s CBB slate breakdown. In this article I will share a few of my top plays on the slate, and discuss who you should target in cash and gpp contests. If you would like to gain access to our CBB core plays, final thoughts, and premium discord, click here!
Guards
Fatts Russell (Rhode Island) vs. SHU
Russell has had a very pedestrian start to his year so far. He is currently averaging 17 ppg, 4 apg and 4 rpg. I expect that number to creep up throughout the year. Russell has had an insane usage rate on this team this year, sitting at about 23%. He is capable of putting up 30+ real points on any given night. Tonight he will be in a pace up spot vs. SHU. This game environment suits his style of play. We may see his first 30 point game of the season tonight. I expect him to push the pace here, drive the lane and get to the free throw line. He is priced up tonight, but I love the upside he comes with in this match-up.
Jalen Suggs (Gonzaga) vs West Virginia
Suggs has been one of the most consistent, explosive and impressive freshman this season. Suggs is averaging 25 mpg, 18 ppg and 7 apg. He is definitely a special talent, and one that may help lead Gonzaga to a National Championship. Suggs is second on this Gonzaga squad in usage rates so far this season with a usage rate of 28%, Timme leads with 32%. He will be tasked with facing a tough defense, but the last “tough” defense he faced, he lit up for 24 points, 8 assist, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. I believe Suggs is one of the top Guard plays on this slate.
Ayo Dosunmo (Illinois) vs. Baylor
Ayo has been absolutely dominant this year. He is averaging 26 points 7 assist and 7 rebounds per game. This game vs. Baylor is expected to be one of the slower games of the slate, so he will probably have fewer possessions in this contest to put up his massive numbers. However, he does own a massive usage rate of 26% and still presents massive upside in this game. I will probably reserve most of my Dosunmo shares for gpps due to his big time price tag.
Ishmael El-Amin (Ball State) vs. Michigan
El-Amin is Ball States go-to guy. He averaged 14 points per game last season and was by far Ball States most efficient offensive weapon. Ball State use to be a team that was one of the fastest in the country, last season they were ranked in the bottom half of the country in pace. Weirdly enough, the slower pace actually was beneficial to El-Amin. In his first game of the season he scored 15 points and had 4 steals. Walton had a big game for Ball State in their first matchup, but I still believe the top offensive weapon for this Ball State team is El-Amin.
Others to consider: N. Freidel (SDST); E. Thompson (ORST); J. Coleman-Lands (ISU); KJ Walton (Ball); R. Bolton (ISU); M. McBride (WVU)
Forwards
Douglas Wilson (SDST) vs. Iowa State
Douglas Wilson is an extremely gifted player, who is active in all phases of the game. He finds himself in a nice pace up spot vs. Iowa State tonight. This game has the 3rd highest total set on it, making it a good spot to target for DFS. South Dakota State plays with a tight rotation, and Wilson already averages 30 minutes per game. Wilson has not had that massive stat line yet, but that will be coming soon. I love Wilson tonight, especially at a price of only $7200. Wilson presents big upside due to him being active in all phases of the game.
Sandro Mamukelashvili (Seton Hall) vs. Rhode Island
Sandro Mamu has been very solid for this Seton Hall team early in the season. Through two games this season he is averaging 20 points and 9 rebounds per game. He has really stepped into a leader on the offensive end of the court and is presenting opposing teams with tough matchups. This game has the 2nd highest total on it, and Seton Hall has a 75 point implied total tonight. He leads them in usage, and should be primed for a big time game tonight. Rhode Island’s front court will have its hands full with Mamu!
Warith Alatishe (Oregon State) vs. Washington State
Alatishe had his granted his waiver to play immediately by the NCAA, and has not been a disappointment for this Oregon State team. He comes to Oregon State from Nicholls State. So far this year he is averaging 13 points and 8 rebounds per game and 2.5 steals per game. He is very active on the offensive side, showing the ability to drive to the basket. He is also very good at creating turnovers on the defensive side. He is priced low and is a solid play tonight. This will be a slow paced game, but he still has plenty of upside at that price.
Others to consider: Kofi Cockburn (Ill); D. Culver (WVU); D. Timme (GONZ); J. Tchamwa-Tchatchoua (BAY); O. Tshiebwe (WVU)
